Wilde scores overtime winner, Lazary wins coaching debut in North Bay

North Bay, Ontario – The Saginaw Spirit came back from a two-goal third period deficit to beat the North Bay Battalion, 4-3 in an overtime thriller to open the three-game northern Ontario road trip. The victory gave Chris Lazary his first win in his first game as Head Coach.

Saginaw carried the play early in the first period of play with several scoring chances. Jackson, Michigan native Blade Jenkins’ wrist shot beat the North Bay goaltender Christian Purboo over the shoulder but hit the left post.

Saginaw opened the scoring 3:30 into the first period with New York Islanders prospect Bode Wilde’s fourth goal of the season. The Plymouth, Michigan native took a shot from the point that deflected off a Battalion defenseman’s stick and hit the twine past the North Bay goaltender. Rookie Camaryn Baber and Ryan Stepien combined for the assists on the goal.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Brady Gilmour nearly scored another goal seconds later. Gilmour stole a puck from a North Bay defender and hit the post after beating the goalie short-side.

North Bay’s Kurtis Evans tied the game with his first goal of the season just over a minute after the Saginaw goal. Evans took a wrist shot that beat Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov off a three-on-two rush 4:38 seconds into the first period.

The Battalion took the lead just under two minutes later with Justin Brazeau’s 21st goal of the season. With the Spirit defenders caught in the North Bay end, Brazeau skated into the Spirit zone all alone on a breakaway and beat Prosvetov on a backhand goal. The North Bay captain came into the game second among all OHL players with 43 points.

North Bay had an opportunity late in the first period to add to the lead if not for a stellar save from Ivan Prosvetov. The Arizona Coyotes prospect made a diving desperation save off Adam McMaster’s back-door redirection to keep the Spirit within one goal after one period of play.

The two goaltenders stole the show in the second period, matching each other save for save.

North Bay’s Christian Purboo stopped several Saginaw scoring opportunities. Zion, Illinois native Cole Coskey had a great chance to tie the game early in the second period. Saginaw first round pick Cole Perfetti passed the puck in between the faceoff circles, Coskey took a wrist shot that was blocked by the Battalion goaltender.

Prosvetov’s strong play continued through the second period. McMaster had another opportunity in the waning minutes of the second period that was stopped with a Prosvetov pad. The rebound shot by North Bay defenseman Payton Vescio was caught by the Saginaw goaltender’s glove.

Saginaw outshot North Bay, 17-10 and was not able to even the score despite most of the play controlled by the Spirit.

The Battalion added their third goal of the game just 1:20 into the third period. North Bay’s Brandon Coe scored his sixth goal of the season with a wrist shot top-shelf under the crossbar. Mason Primeau, son of former NHLer Wayne Primeau, contributed his second assist of the game on the goal.

The Spirit was finally rewarded for the strong play with just over 12 minutes remaining in regulation. After Saginaw forced a turnover in the Battalion zone, Cole Coskey passed the puck back-door for Brady Gilmour to deposit in the North Bay net for his sixth of the season.

Saginaw tied the game with 4:33 seconds with Saginaw captain Damien Giroux’s ninth goal of the season. Bode Wilde took a shot from the blue-line that the Minnesota Wild prospect Giroux redirected past Purboo to force overtime.

Just 49 seconds into overtime, Bode Wilde scored his second of the goal to give Saginaw the 4-3 win. Wilde took the puck end to end with amazing individual effort end and beat the goalie top-shelf for the goal. Saginaw out shot North Bay, 37-31 through regulation and overtime.

Applebee’s Three Stars of the Game:

Bode Wilde– SAG – 2G, A

Kurtis Evans – NB – G

Justin Brazeau – NB – G

The Saginaw Spirit continues their northern Ontario road trip against the Sudbury Wolves Friday, November 23 at 7:05 p.m. The game will be the first of two meetings against the Wolves. Fans can catch the action on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 and fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call.

Saginaw returns home Thursday, November 29 against the Sarnia Sting at 7:05 p.m. The Spirit dropped the first two meetings against the Sting this season. There is a $5 student and military ticket rush for the game presented by Reder Landscaping.

To Purchase tickets to any Saginaw Spirit game call (989) 497-7747, visitsaginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

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